Border crossing Bolivia-Argentina
 

I´m at the border between Bolivia and Argentina (Yacuiba) and been here a few hours now.

They will not let me in without a proof of insurance for the bike, and it is not possible to buy insurance at the spot. From what I see it´s a clear case of corruption, the say they are sorry then they laugh. I´m not paying.

Any good ideas or experiences that might help me with a quick solution? I know that at Villazon border they did not check any insurance when a friend crossed a week or two ago,but I rather not go all the way there as I´m short on time.

Any feedback is very much appreciated!

Tormod

Argentina is quite serious about vehicle insurance. It is illegal to operate a vehicle without insurance. I have been asked for insurance at every check point i have ever been stopped at in Argentina. You can buy insurance for all of Mercosur from an insurance agent in Argentina completely through email. You do not need to physically meet with an insurance agent. They can process your insurance and send you a pdf of the contract for you to print out and carry with you.
I recommend
Roby Speiser
Speiser Asesores en Seguros
Roque Saenz Peña 651 p3 of. 56
+54 11 4326-364 Capital Federal
www.speiserseguros.com.ar

Insurance is req'd, and available cheaply - I paid $15CDN dollar equivalent for a 3 month term from Feb to Apr.

Suggest you purchase on-line!

I'll just repeat here what I answered on ADVrider:

My information was that insurance was required for Argentine nationals but not for foreigners. I was asked for insurance only once in over a half-dozen entries, and never in five or ten thousand miles of riding in Argentina. On the one occasion where I was asked I told the border guard that I was a foreigner and didn't need insurance, and he waved me onward without further discussion.

Note that I'm just offering a description of my understanding and my direct experience earlier this year. I'm not claiming that this applies to anyone else, and I'm not taking a stand on the ethical or practical value of insurance. But the OP is stuck at a border crossing, and I'd be surprised if insurance really is required and there's no one there to sell to him.

Mileage varies.

Mark

Yes, it's legit. I have been stuck there and spent the night between the Bolivia and Argentina. I arrived on a Sunday evening. Thye let me go through the bolivian side, but the argentina side refused me cause i don't have insurance. You can walk into the city and buy the insurance for something like 1 month/$40 (car). They will give you the address on the Argentina side.
But if it is sunday, you cant buy it. And if you are unlucky, they will not let you back up to bolivia, because there's a rule saying you have to let 24 hours between exit/reentry in bolivia.
Think about me if you also have to sleep between the two countries.